Bandits 45g venture into FOWLR

banditpowdercoat · #1 11-11-2007, 03:12 AM

OK, time to make a thread on my tank. Some of you allready know I am making a closed loop style return manifold. Well, I got it done today. testing now. Sump is not ready yet, nor do I have the real pump. I am just running a 350gph mag right now. Just testing fro leaks mainly. Here is the manifold in construction

Now I am seeing a flow mismatch with this pump on the outlets, but I think thats just becasue its way to small. All the water is flowing out of just a couple nozzles. But no leaks. One thing I would do different though would be to use black silicone for the overflow. I attached the 1/8" plexi overflow with clear, and I see the lights seem to highlight it.

Now, behind said overflow is 2 3/4? Durso style drains. These drains plumb into a common manifold underneith, with outlets and shutoffs on either end. My thinking is the Mag1800 that I am getting from Andresont will have too much flow for my 15g sump. So, I can throttle one end of the manifold for sump flow, and the other end will drain by the pump/future skimmer.

banditpowdercoat · #2 12-21-2007, 05:36 PM

OK, still havnt got this tank up yet.... Waiting for some $$$ fro a upgrade to our FW tank. Then use the FW tank as a sump. Winter adn building my Snowmobile has kinda goten in the way. Anyways, I thnk I am going to update my idea. I have the MAG1800 and tried it in a 5g bucket. Alot of Microbubbles. Now, not sure, but I think I will have a hard time getting rid of the bubbles in a 20x12x14 sump with that large of a pump. Sooo, I am thinking I'll add another 1" pipe over the back of the tank, siphon style. This line will feed the MAG1800. Then, get a smaller MAG pump for inside the sump. Should aleviate the microbubbles.

banditpowdercoat · #3 01-02-2008, 03:18 AM

OK, well what I did was make the overflow bigger, and put the MAG 1800 inside running the closed loop. Then the canister filter hooked up to the stock tank bulkheads. But one problem. with the mag running, Water temp is 78 after 2 days. No heater runnig yet, just pump/lights. I think I will be looking for a smaller pump. Anyone want a MAG1800?? Think I will be looking for an Ehiem maybe? Quieter pump too. I'll take $120, same price I paid for it from andresont

sobe · #4 01-13-2008, 04:57 PM

trying it on a 5g will produce a lot of micro bubbles try it on a bigger container. If not fill up a bath tub and test it there. But I agree mag 1800 is way more than what you'll need on that tank but it gives you a flexibility when you want to upgrade in the future into a bigger tank. Trust me you will upgrade

banditpowdercoat · #5 01-13-2008, 09:04 PM

Ya, I changed the design a bit, and found that the 1800 just added too much heat to my little tank too going to use a Quiet One 4000 and put it in the overflow fro just the closed loop.

banditpowdercoat · #6 02-23-2008, 01:12 AM

Well, Been a while but I finally got LR and sand in the tank. Just put in today. Closed loop is running, seems OK flow, Not heavy for corals but should be plenty adequate. Pentair 3000 on closed loop, pump is in the Overflow so 0' head and a Mag 350 fro the sump return.

My camera has taken a dump last week, the lens wont come out. I'll get some pics as soon as I can. 40 Lbs Tonga LR. 3 pcs $238 LOL. Think I will need more tho. Not sure how I will aquascape it yet, Might get some Fiji or Vanatu to finish it off. We;ll see when the water clears up